Anyone know how to remove muffler - SN 206

[cazman]

Anyone know how to remove muffler on a 2006 206? From what I can see it is a hull hugger style; 2 into 1 outlet. I cannot see how this thing comes out for replacement, without the fuel cell and other parts coming off first. Anyone with first hand experience?

[NautiqueJeff]

Without seeing a picture, I can't be much help on getting it out.

I will say though, you can likely repair your current one if you can get it out. I am assuming it is leaking from some point. You can likely add new fiberglass to it to repair any holes and then reinstall. I would suggest putting some padding between the muffler and the hull. Scrap SeaDek works well for this.

[cazman]

I think something melted inside the muffler after my pump went one day. Just sounds awful and I am loosing some low end power. Engine was fine, but exhaust temp was high.
I think the only one that can help me is Nautique or someone that has done this before. There is no way this is coming out easy.

[James]

Here's how I did it on my '06 216. It was very easy. Perhaps they are similar. My gas tank is under the rear seat bottom and as I remember continues upward behind the rear seat back. First remove the engine cover and pull the rear floorboard out. I went ahead and removed the rear seat bottom/back as well. That was an unnecessary step but gave me more room to work/see. I then removed the two exhaust hoses. I used a lot of liquid dish soap to slide them up the exhaust riser so I could disconnect the from the muffler. I then slide them off the exhaust riser to get them completely out of the way. The next step was the trick to get the muffler out with removing the gas tank. Disconnect the single "tail pipe" at the transom. Slide the muffler with the "tail pipe" out forward. The pipe should bend enough as you pull the muffler up and out.

[cazman]

Thanks. I think the 216 and 206 would be very similar. I did not know that the floor section could come out. That would help.

[James]

Good luck. It' not that difficult.

[Quinner]

Remove the entire rear seat and base, pull hinge pins and remove the dog house (motor box), the center floor section will now be removable, pull it and you should have enough access to get it done.

[cazman]

Ok, finished. The tight fit of the hoses did not make this easy though!
The muffler seemed fine, however. No cracks and all the baffles are in place. The loss of power is small and could just be my imagination, but I cannot figure out why this boat is louder than before. Everyone in my family has noticed this. Anyone ever have this problem?

[James]

I took mine out to repair a small hole that wore through the muffler. The rubber pad it rests on had shifted allowing a small area of the muffler to come in direct contact with the hull. Vibration and time wore the hole. My muffler was otherwise in great condtion. The only two things I can think of that may cause a good muffler become "louder" would a decrease in water flow though the muffler. Are you sure you don't have an obstruction "upstream" or a water pump/impeller issue? The other is if the rubber pad under the muffler shifted allowing significant direct hull contact. In that sutuation I'd think the sound sound resonationing though the entire hull would mimick a louder muffler.